Both the Abertillery & District and Ynyshir Bands have had to make a late conductor change ahead of their appearances at the Welsh Regional Contest in Swansea, due to a shoulder problem suffered by MD Dean Evans.

Struggling

Dean told 4BR: "I’ve been struggling for the last six months or so to get through rehearsals, and I now have to get it sorted through surgery.

It would be unfair on both bands given the circumstances, so I’ve stepped aside to allow them time to get used to working with new conductors."

Abertillery will link up with Richard Huw Cole, a former cornet player with the band in the late 1980’s, and now a member of the Flowers Band. Over the last few years he enjoyed considerable success by leading Bream Silver to National Finals qualification three times in five years.

It would be unfair on both bands given the circumstances, so I’ve stepped aside to allow them time to get used to working with new conductorsMD, Dean Evans

Thrilled

Huw said: "I was thrilled to be asked to help out the band where I first started playing. They have worked so hard in the two weeks we have been together so we will be fully prepared for Swansea."

Meanwhile, Ynyshir will be conducted by the Tylorstown Band MD, Gary Davies.

Help out

Ynyshir Chairman Mark Balch told 4BR: "I have been aware of Dean’s shoulder problem for some time and we both agreed that in the interest of his long term health he should rest.

Gary agreed straight away to help out and has come in and continued the hard work Dean had already put in. The band is really enjoying working with him and hope that all the hard work will pay off in Swansea."